Fossil Ridge High School’s boys basketball team has been looking for respect for years. Even when it made a run to the Class 5A state quarterfinals two seasons ago, many around the state looked past the accomplishment.

The SaberCats may finally have earned that sought after respect Tuesday night. They beat second-ranked and visiting Grandview 68-58, their second win in a row over a ranked opponent this season.

“That was a fun game and we had a lot of expectations coming out,” Fossil Ridge senior Cody McCoy said. “We feel like we don’t get a lot of love. … We wanted to come out and make a statement and that’s what happened.”

Indeed, they did. The SaberCats jumped all over Grandview, building a 20-8 lead after the first quarter and a 40-20 halftime lead.

The Wolves were able to get within five points with three minutes remaining, but Fossil Ridge made enough plays down the stretch to secure the win.

The SaberCats beat then No. 9 Highlands Ranch at home on Saturday night, yet dropped out of the state’s coaches’ poll after losing to Denver South in a season-opening tournament. At the same time, Highlands Ranch moved up this week to No. 7.

But in the program’s nine-year history, there’s little doubt the latest win was one of the biggest. Even if it’s only the fifth game of the season.

“It’s right up there. I’d say it’s one of the biggest, if not the biggest wins in our brief history,” said Matt Johannsen, the only coach the SaberCats have known. “I think back to when we went 24-2 (in 2010-2011), I think of getting to the Elite Eight and beating Montbello and ThunderRidge. Those were big.

“But to beat a good team like Grandview … Wow! I’m still at a loss right now.”

Fossil Ridge (4-1) seemed to surprise the Wolves, who beat Liberty and Columbine in their first two games.

The SaberCats scored 20 points in each of the first two quarters and shot 75 percent from the field in doing so. In comparison, Fossil Ridge shot 12 percent in the first half of the loss to Denver South.

“They just flat kicked our butts the first half; it was embarrassing,” Grandview coach Gary Childress said. “They probably were (shocked), but they sure the heck shouldn’t have been. … We saw Fossil Ridge twice and we knew they were going to be a handful for sure.”

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It was a much more aggressive Wolves team in the second half, led by senior guard Eric Garcia who scored all 22 of his points after halftime.

Grandview cut its deficit to 50-41 entering the fourth quarter and got within 59-54 on what was a 5-point possession. Devon brown made the first of two free throws, but the Wolves came up with the offensive rebound. Garcia then made a 3-pointer, was fouled and converted the free throw.

Fossil Ridge, however, responded almost immediately. McCoy found Alex Semadeni for a short jumper and scored on a layup himself the following possession. And despite going only 17 of 31 at the free-throw line in the game, the SaberCats were able to make enough the final two minutes to hang on.

“In the third quarter when they started to make a run, I think we may have started questioning if we could really keep the lead,” McCoy said. “We finally relaxed, hit our shots and the pressure calmed down a little bit.”

McCoy and Evan Smith each scored 20 points for the SaberCats, who had only five players score. Semadeni added 18 points, Alec Quaid six and Corey Peter four.

The early season schedule won’t get easier for Fossil Ridge. Next up is a road game Friday night at No. 10 ThunderRidge.

“This is such a positive for the kids and I hope they ride this momentum,” Johannsen said. “We have another tough one Friday. As big as this win is, we’re capable of beating them down there, but they’re capable of putting a good one on us.

“Our challenge right now is to sustain this, sustain the effort and continue to work hard.”